The
Social Work
"Helping" Process
01
THE SOCIAL WORK
HELPING PROCESS
The six steps in this process are:
1.Engagement
2.Assessment
3.Planning
4.Intervention/Implementation
5.Evaluation and
6.Termination MEMORY TRICK:
EAt PIE Today
02
1. ENGAGEMENT
Engagement is generally done in the first
session. We want to ensure clients come
back for a second appointment.
Engagement allows us to build rapport
and establish trust with clients.
In the engagement phase, confidentiality
is discussed, and informed consent is
obtained. Boundaries and expectations
for treatment are discussed.
03
What do you do in Let's watch
the engagement this:
stage?
https://www.youtube.com/
establish rapport
watch?v=tcghtMrTw8o
gain trust
confidentiality is discussed
informed consent is obtained
gather information (clarifying
roles of the helping
relationship-Boundaries and
expectations)
04
2. ASSESSMENT
Assessment is when we are
determining what the client’s
presenting problem is. This step is
used to collect information that will
be helpful in treatment. This may
include a biopsychosocial
assessment so we can identify
areas that will be worked on in
treatment
05 e.i. A client with anxiety
What do you do in the
assessment stage?
completing a biopsychosocial
assessment/questionnaire
knowing the past history or medical
history
identifying problems
identifying strengths
identifying struggles/challenges
identifying priorities
Let's watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JDp4qsHi6I
06
3. PLANNING
The planning stage refers to planning for
treatment. This includes setting goals and
objectives. Treatment modality may also be
determined in this stage. In this stage, you are
making an action plan for next steps in
treatment.
Example: You have determined that you will
address the client’s anxiety through 12 weeks of
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). The goal will
be utilize coping strategies to decrease negative
thinking in 3 out of 5 situations.
08
Let's watch how it was done: What do you do
in the planning
stage?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBSg2nmrKfg
set goals and objectives
frame solutions/Treatment
modality to person's
challenges
explore strategies for
successfully meeting
client's challenges
develop a plan of action
07
4. INTERVENTION
This is where the “bulk” of the clinical work will be
done. This is when you are actively working with the
client. In this stage, you may be utilizing a variety of
techniques to work towards established goals. You
may also give clients activities to work on outside of
session. Depending on the type of work you are going,
this phase may be long or short term in nature.
EXAMPLE:
During the intervention phase, you will be utilizing
CBT. This may include working on distorted thoughts,
practicing muscle relaxation and mindfulness.
10
Watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNiuTqjwtgM
What do you do in the
intervention stage?
tapping into resources
maximizing the potential
success
balancing what is possible
with what is desired
utilizing a variety of
techniques to work towards
09 established goals
5. EVALUATION
This is where you are looking at client’s progress.
Are they making progress towards established
goals? Are there areas that need to be changed? Is
the treatment modality working? This is an ongoing
process that should be used to determine if changes
need to be made in the treatment process.
EXAMPLE:
Is my client making progress towards a decrease in
negative thinking? Are the CBT techniques and
strategies helping the client cope with anxiety?
11
What do you do review plans/goals
in the evaluation barriers or self-sabotaging
stage? evidence of change
Watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUbnSAqywjg
12
6. TERMINATION
This is where you are looking at client’s progress. Are they
making progress towards established goals? Are there areas
that need to be changed? Is the treatment modality working?
This is an ongoing process that should be used to determine if
changes need to be made in the treatment process.
For some people termination is signaled by joy and pride. For
others it is more challenging and may be signaled by fear and
Anxiety. Support your client’s through the termination phase.
13
What do you do in
the termination
stage?
Check if set goals and objectives are met
both the therapist and the client have
determined that services and therapy is
no longer needed evidence of change
may be refer them to outside resources
or give them techniques that they can
use outside of treatment
discuss the termination process
14
Let's watch
this:
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=qnvxQAw7qFM
15
The Role of a
Social Worker
• mediator
• educator/teacher
• facilitator
• advocate
• enabler
• agency administrator
• coordinator
• planner
• clinician/counselor
• researcher/program evaluator
16 • case manager
Group Activity:
Role play of all the
helping processes.
To be presented next
meeting.
The presentation
length: Maximum of 5-
10 minutes per group
